We learned nothing.  The candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, were finally asked a few questions about the issues, but there was no follow-up to speak of and the time allotment was meager.  In other words, there was more time spent on Clinton’s travel to Bosnia and which pew Obama sits on in church than the issues.  The camera spent as much time panning to Chelsea Clinton as it did focusing on the candidates during one period of time.  I didn’t realize there are now three Clinton’s running for office.  But… who knows?

The bottom line was that both candidates are for universal health care.  Both want education for everyone.  And, both seemed to agree that “affirmative action” should not be race based but more emphasis should be placed on economic inability and experience.  There was talk about taxes… same old story there.  There was talk about the war.  Both candidates seemed to be more aware of the need for reliance on military input, but would make the final decision.  There was talk about gas prices and of course, the solution is energy efficiency and yada yada yada.

Even to the gun issue in D.C., neither gave a definitive opinion.  But, let’s face it on that one, if it takes the Supreme Court to make the decision I doubt either candidate is in a position to make it a black and white issue. 

All in all, I wasted two good hours of my life, watching Charlie and George pander to the what they think the American citizens want to see and hear.  I am only reminded that this type of non-journalism, unwillingness to concentrate on the facts and issues that matter, and fear of asking the really hard questions are what allowed Dick and the Decider to lead us to war in Iraq.  No one questioned them.

If there is any doubt that I am progressive, let me put your mind at rest.  I am progressive.  And, I am not afraid to say the “L” word.  I am liberal.  But, whatever my political persuasion…. and whoever takes the seat in the Oval Office after the November election… the media needs to step up to the plate, since they are the eyes and ears of the citizens.  The media needs to ask the hard questions and demand the answers.  The media and the press must stop showing favoritism and realize that as “journalists” they are responsible for digging for facts, for asking good questions that demand good answers.  Otherwise, Republican or Democrat, the next president will be able to slip under the radar just as the present administration has.

We need real journalists as badly as we need a new president.  Obviously, throughout the twenty some debates that have taken place, we haven’t seen a qualified moderator or journalist.  Thank goodness, at least we have two good candidates who managed to stay somewhat above the embarrassment and humiliation of tonight’s so-called debate.

And, as for ABC, the network was the last of the broadcast networks to get into the debate business this election season. Just as the other broadcast networks, ABC is an embarrassment and tonight’s debate was an insult to the American people. 

“Good night and good luck.”